Rearing. 73 



which is immerisely above the natural level 

 when cleared out effectually. The writer, at the 

 moment of writing this, has but just returned 

 from visiting a stream of this sort, which, instead 

 of holding a foot or more of water, has not more 

 than three inches of depth, and in a dry season 

 would require to be dammed up by artificial 

 means. 



If a few little falls can, under any circum- 

 stances, be made in the stream, they will be 

 advantageous to the fry, as they like strong 

 rippling water ; these falls also tend to oxidize 

 the water, by exposing it in thin films to the air, 

 and have a neutralizing effect on any impurity 

 that may, by any chance, find its way in. 

 Water plants have this effect also, and should, 

 therefore, be encouraged to a moderate extent, 

 especially as they also act as shelters or hides. 



The woodwork required for the screens at 

 each end of the water consists of a " sole-plate," 

 a good solid slab of timber some six feet longer 



